Bittersweet and the little soap company: Bittersweet Land

many things

Living one day at a time lately. When I ponder those thoughts my mind wanders and then stops. Each day is a gift, and somehow when you treat it as such, life is even more precious and I do believe you appreciate it more.

The Apothecary Shop is gearing up for our May Day Celebration. The storage room in the back of my shop just got a major cleaning and sorting, and countertops are cleansed and not filled with all the shop goings on that seem to somehow be like a lint brush. I'm one of those people that feels uneasy when things get messy. A shop has a lot going on, especially one that makes most of their merchandise. Messy is a commonly used word when referencing shop talk. There is kind of a language on its own type thing. There's always a variety of seasonal merchandise pieces scattered here and there. We're working on Spring now. However, it certainly does not feel like spring! I vowed to not dig out my winter coats, but then quickly changed my tune when that brutal north wind blew me around. Hat, gloves, coats, boots, still handy in my closet, even though I wish them not to be.

A few months ago a sweet customer dropped by and shared information about a local lavender farm. I'm in! Joan delivered this bundle on Thursday. Ah, the smell transports you to a peaceful and calm place. Her daughter Melissa owns a bakery in my hometown. She's a sweetheart and I"m anxious to visit her bakery!

I picked up a bunch of bright yellow sunshine daffs this week. With all our unseasonal wintry weather I needed a pick me up. There's something about that yellow that cheers a soul and brightens one's day.

We're getting in new creamy and white delights. This oyster colored blouse is the cutest ever! It's all about the details. It really is.

Keeping busy at the shop, and building our customer base every day. These boxes are being constructed for a special order. Bittersweet puts together a variety of special orders throughout the year. I have this thing about building gift boxes. I love putting them together!

We're making a big pot of chili since it's so cold.

I made these hand pies the other day. They were a blast to make! Extra yummy, even without icing. Years ago I purchased special pop tart like molds to make these, but I have no idea where they're at. I made a double recipe of pie crust and rolled them out the old-fashioned way. That pie crust is pretty tasty. Even though it's loaded with carbohydrates. Worth the cheating on my low carb, sugar diet. Just say'in.

Keep the faith.

Jill

Posted at 05:34 PM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: Bittersweet Soap, hand made shop, liberty mo blog, retail shop blog, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog

No toast with my butter...

Does one's taste change over time? Mine has. I'm still drawn to certain things when creating a vibe at the shop, but I'm much more fastidious and exact. If I go back to when I first began this blog, 2006, I'm somewhat surprised about the objects that attracted me back then. Where does your design style come from? Your environment has a lot to do with your style.

Moving on...

I'm still on the low carb, sugar challenge. Yes, it is a challenge to choose low carb, low sugar foods. Unless their fresh, they probably aren't low carb. That gives you a notion of the challenge. Since I started this challenge I've become more aware of how many processed foods line our grocery shelves. They say eighty percent of our food is processed! Those findings draw me to a conclusion that's not pretty. Food manufacturers add lots of sugar, and preservatives, and I just can't help to think, none of them are good for us. Yes, I said us, because we're all in this together.

My challenge right this minute is to locate a substitute for refined sugar. My next sweet adventure will be baking with this.

If you wish to add the sweet date to your coffee or tea, I don't believe it dissolves, but you can get the syrup. I'm eager to try it. The artificial sweeteners aren't for me. I had several adverse effects when I consumed Stevia. Always the same reaction so that I knew it was the culprit. My symptoms were pretty intense. I had pain in my lower stomach. Not just a discomfort or inconvenience pain, but serious pain. It took me about six stevia times to figure out that I was having a reaction. I searched, and searched the Internet to see if anyone else experienced the same lower abdominal pain, and was hard pressed to find a couple, but later that same week, I had a customer come in the shop, and we chatted about it. She told me how she'd had the exact pain when she ingested Stevia. As with everything, not everyone's body reacts the same with different foods. I wanted to share, because maybe you've experienced the same thing, and it's comforting to know someone else has had the same thing happen.

The topic of health is dear to my heart.

Looking thoughtfully at something for a long time almost always delivers a positive solution.

The modern apothecary shop is being detailed. I'm eager for fall. We're getting in new styles and the autumn aromas's are filling the shop air.

Prototypes are being developed for the new upcoming season, and the wheels are spinning.

We're moving into glorious September!

September represents many, many things to this soap maker. I almost feel like a squirrel hiding her nuts. Recuperation for the fast paced holiday season has already commenced! I'll be moving at warp speed from now until December 26. Then we close the shop for a few weeks, and I enjoy a break. Yes, I do begin to ponder those thoughts early in.

Keep the faith.

Jill

Posted at 07:48 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, liberty mo, shop blog, soap maker's blog, stevia, stevia side effects

closet girl

Hats, gloves, evening bags, t-shirts, short boot, tall boots, camisoles, belts, and my mostly white wardrobe. All neatly stashed in bins or in view. Jeans, skinny ones, and flares, favorite's and weekend warriors. The final and last project in the new dressing room.

This room is now a favorite hang out spot, and I'm looking forward to sewing new skirts, and Bittersweet soap bags.

Home is getting organized and the shop is churning up autumn ideas.

Our new t-shirts should be arriving later today. I'm excited to get them. Here's the mock up. It's much better when you see the wording on an actual shirt. I'll be offering the tee's at the soap shop on water street. Hey, I think that maybe I'd like to create a new shirt with those words!

Meanwhile, we're whipping up autumn and spice, everything nice, in the production room.

Manufacturing orders are already multiplying, and constant inventories are being scored, and maintained. There's nothing worse, then getting ready to make something, only to realize, you're out of a necessary item. Soap supplies in addition to many other must have manufacturing ingredients simply need to be in stock and ready. I was thinking about all this yesterday. How continuous coverage of one's manufacturing inventory is crucial to fulfill supply and demand, especially when your shop stocks items you make. If you have to wait a week or so for supplies to arrive, that means your production ceases during that time. Your shelves are empty. Just say no to empty shelves at a shop. No Go!

My studio is filled with fifty pounds of this, that. Most all of my manufacturing products come in fifty pound containers. Keeping track of olive oil, coconut, palm, spring water, sodium hydroxide, essential oil, perfume, is a constant job. In addition, my mind is also monitoring over one-hundred other necessary ingredient lists. Whew!

In all honesty, and I don't mean this in an arrogant way, but I run a tight shift!

The shop is my getaway!

The world keeps on keeping on, regardless of the chaos and commotion. I figure it's going to play out, the way it's suppose to no matter what. Scary and concerning for all, and I don't hide my head in the sand, I keep the faith and trust in God, and pray.

Jill

Posted at 07:53 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, hand made shop blog, shop blog, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog

fireflies and moon flowers

I'm absolutely thrilled when a new soap is sitting on my desk freshly wrapped, and a customer picks up a bar and describes the scent in a clear and precise way.

Using words like, mysterious and smoky, perfume, but mild. Every nose has its story!

A customer came in yesterday with a tiny sample I'd given her last week wanting me to tell her what the soap was. Her small sample piece was gently used, and I must have sniffed it twenty times, but I could only narrow its flavor down with a guess.

You may find that surprising, that I can't identify the scent of a soap, but I make twenty thousand bars a year, and out of those twenty thousand, comes a vast variety of soap flavors.

We just launched a new summer soap idea. Fill your bag with soap. The concept was created with the idea of clearing out the old and bringing in the old. Seldom, do we have leftover soap at the apothecary shop. Maybe a bar here, or two from the holiday soap stash, or possibly a winter blend, that doesn't fit in with the summer blends. Those soap bars are packed in baskets and sit on the shelf in my back room. After gazing upon the six baskets stacked with seasonal soaps, I thought maybe we could simply offer them in a bulk pack. The concept seems to be popular, as we've sold half of our inventory in just a few short days after introducing them. I had not weighed the soap after the bag was filled, but yesterday I did. If you fill your bag, you'll get over two pounds of soap! They're priced to sell, and well cured, so they'll last a very long time. If I didn't have thousands of bars of soap, that's how Id' purchase the moisture rich bars. Now that I've got ya excited, and eager to fill your bag, there's a limited supply and I'll probably only offer them once a year. That's because we typically don't have a lot of orphan soap hanging around.

Whew, that was a long description of the soap in a bag!

Sorry, I couldn't resist posting this...

This kid reminds me of my brother Mark.

The No Sugar For Me, Thank you, and I'm into day number 7! I'm going to be honest and tell you, the past couple of days without sugar seems to have caught up with my body. I felt a bit sluggish yesterday and the day before and tired, really tired. This morning I'm feeling back to hyper Jill, and I know it's going to take awhile for the sugar to clear out. I'm not even sure how long I'll continue to live a sugar free life, because I'm winging it, but my body will tell me what to do next. Yes body, I'm listening. All joking aside, I do love sugary foods, ice cream, cake, cookies, and I do not wish to remove sugar completely from my diet, but I'm definitely going to be more aware of my intake.

This is a great article about sugar. Funny, these were my thoughts before I read it. Always trust your instincts, they won't lie. I was eating more than twenty - four grams of sugar a day!

Moving towards a different topic. I'm really getting excited about this upcoming event! Amber, owner of Petal's and Potpourri is going to be a guest on the next radio show, and between the two of us, we're going to fill your ears with our excitement chatter. I also want to mention, how wonderful, kind, and sincere Amber, and the folks from Petal's are! It's no wonder why their shop has been around since the seventy's! As a fellow shop owner, I feel grateful to be among such talent, and professionalism.

Cant' wait for the show!

These are another <bottom>Amber's feet. She is modeling the new barefoot sandals that we have at the shop. She could be a foot model!

We're getting closer to starting the construction of our new banquette! I found that table at one of my wholesale suppliers! I about fell over when spotting it! I was thinking that would be the challenge to find a table like this. Just goes to show you how you shouldn't get in a remodel hurry when starting a home project. Now hurry here! However, I am getting anxious after locating the table!

At the shop, we're mixing sea salt, and herbs to create salt cylinders. We're tying little dried lavender bundles to the glass vials.

Happy Summer!

Jill

Posted at 07:59 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, Christmas in July, liberty mo blog, liberty mo shops, Petal's and Potpourri, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog

uncomplicated inspiration

Summer grabs acres of inspiration and gently preserves it under its wings.

While cutting a new summer soap, and as I held the bar to my nose, instantly, I knew it should be named Moon Flower. Oh how I love it when this happens!

Yesterday, and when I stepped out on the back porch, I noticed these sitting on the table.

What a welcome to my tummy surprise! I must have eaten at least five or six! No guilt, just gobbled right up! Thank you Dad for sharing M.J's famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and what I believe to be, the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, on this side of the Missouri River!

There's a whole lot of summer going's on at the soap shop.

We introduced a new BeBe line of products...

I painted the spare room in back of the shop and transformed it into a dressing room.

Hanging a galvanized lamp, placing a round jute rug, and installing a new ceiling fan. Cutting cedar to wrap around a ceiling inlay, and then I think we're done. At least for the time being. I'd really love to scrap the flooring, but that's a big project that will have to wait until we get our home projects completed.

This is the other side as you walk out.

The rest of the week will be dedicated to preparing for the Mercantile Sale.

I purchased a big box of tags for pricing, and now it's time to whip through all my hidden treasures for discovery.

Twenty years of stash!

We're setting up a tent in the driveway, and I'm hoping it doesn't rain. If it does, I'm not having the sale. It's an old fashioned out door sale with the added bonus of rare finds.

In between, I'm changing the name of the radio show to "Liberty Live." I believe it's a better fit and best describes the show. New business cards, marketing, graphics, etc.

Happy Summer!

Jill

Posted at 09:03 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, hand made blog, liberty blog, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog, soap making blog

pie

Oh how it's so very nice to bake a pie from scratch. It's Memorial weekend, and that means we're going to grill and bake, and take a few days off from Bittersweet.

I feel like it's the calm before the crazy around here, as I'll be preparing for the Mercantile Sale and attempting to finish some much needed organization space. I'm not there yet. Moving my office upstairs, and clearing the studio downstairs. Also, working on new ideas for the apothecary shop. One involves leather. The other consists of kits, and gift boxes, and oh how I get pumped up right when those new ideas flow!

Once upon a time there was enough time in the day to sew market bags. Those days are gone. I kind of miss them sometime, but also realize growth is good.

The new line of Bittersweet Spa Products is taking shape, and my studio is filled with bundles of lavender and sacks of golden flax seed. The mixture that's inside the eye pillows.

Every so often I'm required to change the look of things. More often than not, keeping things fresh and new, especially when you have a shop. Those feelings, and tasks of creating new, and switching old, particularly a requirement needed to offer a blooming effect. The shop is blooming!

The "surprise orchid" continues to fascinate me with even more colorful blooms. Taking it in...

I've been watching cooking shows all day!

Now I want to grill cabbage and corn on the cob!

Believe it or not, I really like watching war movies. So remembering, and thanking those who have fought for my freedom. Your's too!

Give Peace a chance...

Jill

Posted at 02:40 PM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary blog, bittersweet soap, hand made blog, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog

stop and smell the flowers

The humble peony, spectacular in its natural beauty. Not only is it a beautiful flower, it carries a magnificent perfume.

I dug up several of these many years ago at an old farm and planted them around a rock garden. They're in a semi-sunny spot, and would prefer full sun, but while other's have faded, mine have just started blooming. Although the summer heat we've been having might put an end to their blooms. I'm going to cut a bunch of them today and take to the shop, so that I can enjoy their beautiful fragrance and blooms. Simple joys...

Plans and actions have commenced for the upcoming Mercantile Sale that will be held at my home. I'm getting ready to price items, and get things ready. I can't believe how many pieces you accumulate when you're a shop owner. Seasonal items, vintage displays, furniture, and in my case, apothecary jars, racks, etc. I sure hope it doesn't rain, because since it's going to be outside, we're not having it if it rains. Fingers crossed that it doesn't...

A few years ago I started sewing with organic cotton. I must say, organic cotton is amazingly soft and luxurious. I don't recall ever rubbing a fabric to my face just because I love the way it feels on my skin. I offer organic cotton bath mitts at the shop.

You can see the soft cotton fibers in this picture. I sew a little trim and then stick in a Bittersweet Soap label on each one. Crafted by hand, built to last.

The Prairie Quilt... It doesn't have to be perfect. In fact, if you look closely you'll see how my squares don't match. Who cares? I carefully chose the fabric, made my own binding, and quilted it on my machine. I have a small hutch that now houses all of my "Prairie Quilts." They're soft and look better with age, as the fabrics fade. I typically line the back with inexpensive muslin, and the binding is created by making miter cuts with extra yardage. I can't begin to tell you how much fun they are to make. I have two tops waiting to be put together and quilted. I also made some and tied them rather than quilting. That's kind of cool too. Honestly, I had never quilted before making these a few years ago. I watched you tube tutorials on how to bind and quilt.

When I went to water our tomato and pepper plants I noticed immediately that the squirrels had been digging up the dirt. I also have seeds planted in among-st the plants. I've tried many, many, different squirrel remedies over the years and believe a healthy sprinkle of crushed red pepper works better than anything. I have to reapply after watering, which is kind of a pain, but my goal of keeping the squirrels from digging up my tender young seedlings is successful. I've always been curious how those pesky squirrels can't remember where they hide their walnuts! Here in Missouri we have lots of Black Walnut trees. Have you ever tasted a black walnut? They're nothing like an English Walnut. They have a robust nut taste that is unique to any other nut. As with all nuts, they contain natural immune boosting ingredients. So, eat some nuts!

I introduced a new product. Aromatherapy Inhalers! There's an Inhaler for that! Offering refills too. Blended in with the "bag your own" herbs. Patchouli, Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint, Chamomile, Elder Flowers, Calendula, and Rose Buds. These herbs are used to create Bittersweet products.

Girl talk...

Last week we received these. The simple, but amazingly comfortable Bralette. I nabbed one and tried it on, and now realize it's the most comfortable bra I've ever had! I ordered more! If you've never tried one, you should. They're lacy and feminine, while being amazingly comfortable at the same time. It seems pretty and comfort don't always play well, but bralettes are the exception to the rule.

We'll be getting in both white and black at the shop. They come in small, medium, and large.

Whipping up soap in between it all. Fresh Patchouli is waiting to be cut into bars, and Charcoal is waiting to be crafted. I need to run up to the shop and water my herbs, as the heat will rob them of their moisture.

Happy days.

Jill

Posted at 07:32 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, hand made blog, liberty mo, shop blog, soap blog, soap maker's blog

springing around

Cream & Sugar...
Not the real stuff, but rather the colors.

No matter how I toss back and forth with color I always lean towards Cream & Sugar.

The pictures are from past designs. That rosebud fabric was a favorite print and I made aprons as well as the coin purses. Hand sewn, and always dear to my heart, each stitch in time.

I spent the afternoon running errands and setting up a new music system at the shop. I'm probably a lone ranger in the way I prefer to play my music. Nowadays, Bluetooth, etc. I however prefer the old fashioned cd method. I dismantled our old cd player and tuner from home and took it to the shop. The little cd player holds up to five cd's at a time, and you can shuffle them so that one doesn't play at a time, but you get a sample of each cd. I really enjoy researching and choosing new cd's. I'm almost giddy to have a new collection to play on my what is probably called vintage cd and tuner.

Sometimes, it's the good old things that bring me joy.

A few years ago I made, well half made embellished canvas bags. I kind of like it when you get a helping hand and jump start on a creation. Semi handmade? At any rate, almost instant gratification.

My stash of Vintage Cream and Sugar attire. Demographically, and generally speaking, a hard sell at the apothecary shop. I don't understand why? I love wearing vintage whites! I have two long vintage layered slips that I love to wear in the summer with short boots.

Linen Cuffs, were a favorite design too. A thrill to be on the hunt for vintage baubles. The old fashioned rhinestone pins were easy to find, and usually affordable. They were the perfect topping, I always thought.

I have a few painted pieces I'm dying to transform. While searching I found this blog that seems to detail the paint technique I like. Not to mention, I'm obsessed with Chip and Joanna lately. Such wonderful humans. I admire and respect their lifestyle and beliefs.

Back to the food...

We made this for dinner. Yummy! I dropped by that favorite grocery store I mentioned last post and picked out a large bunch of organic broccoli. Actually, there wasn't any broccoli, but I asked the produce stocker if there was some, and he went in the back room and filled the bin with fresh florets. Yet another reason I love that grocery store.

Spring, Spring are you coming back? I sure hope so! I really miss you.

Home projects churning around and I can't wait to plant herbs and flowers.

Happy thoughts, always.

Jill

Posted at 07:21 PM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: apothecary blog, artisan soap, bittersweet soap, downtown liberty blog, hand made shop blog, liberty, soap blog, soap maker's blog, soap shop

whipping around town

Seriously, if you love lavender, really love lavender, then you'll absolutely adore both of these products.

From lavender to crazy night...

We headed to the basement last night after the tornado sirens began to whistle. Such a strange weather night. I really don't like it when tornadoes move through our Midwest skies at night. It's scary to not be able to see, but only an occasional burst of lightening brightens the dark night sky.

The path of the tornado, or should I say, tornadoes, (crazy) whipped through my little home town of Plattsburg. Homes were damaged, but no lives were lost. It's unusual to be getting severe weather this early. I'm hoping it's not a sign. Our Missouri weather can change at a drop of a hat. I've lived here most of my life, and I can honestly say that you should never take a tornado threat lightly. Most of the time you're safe, but there's always those times, you're not. That's why our homes are built with basements.

Interesting how this video was captured by tornado chasers. What a job! I'm thankful for folks like that. Every now and then when the skies turn black. I'll see their little vehicles around.

Again, very grateful no one was killed. Feeling empathy for those who lost their homes. These small town communities band together and strong bonds are formed even before a tragic event occurs like last night. Neighbors watch after neighbors, and folks say hello as you pass by. They even look you in the eyes when they're talking to you. Not as common as it used to be, and that really bothers me.

Don't forget to be an exception to the abnormal rule. It's not humanly normal to not recognize a fellow human being. It's just not healthy. We were designed to love one another and care about each other. It will go back, maybe. I have faith.

What's that saying? Moving on...

At the apothecary shop, we're planning spring open houses, excited about new products, and pondering May day celebrations.

I wont' mention the dreaded tax season. My file folder sits on the dining room table as a reminder. Hey, I wonder what happens if your tax information gets blown away by a tornado? I can envision my many expense receipts stuck to a fence post.

Things are changing in the way we market and correspond when it comes to events. I'm leaning towards electronic mail over the old fashioned kind when sending invites. I never thought I'd lean in that direction, but it makes sense. It's hard to argue or disagree with something that makes sense. Well, unless you're stubborn like me!

All kidding aside, the way we market is ever changing and the opportunity to grow and reach out to folks is growing, growing, popping, with oodles of platforms and ideas that I really love to incorporate.

Think Spring and good thoughts.

Jill

Posted at 08:42 AM in Bittersweet Land | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tags: bittersweet soap, downtown liberty, historic liberty, soap blog, soap maker's blog

Fall Fashion

We're moving forward, but tracing our steps.

A couple of weeks ago Bittersweet participated in the annual Downtown Liberty Fall Fashion Show.

You may recognize one of the models, Jordan. She was one of the models for the photo shoot we did a few months ago. Aren't the girls stunning?

I'd like to introduce you to, Savannah, Katrina, and Jordan.

Each model is holding an everlasting sunflower bouquet. We offer the dried flowers at the Modern Apothecary Shop on Water Street.

You see, we have it going on!

Soap, Soap, and more Soap. Need I say more? Peppermint, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Pumpkin, Cranberry, Star Anise, Beer, Oats, Charcoal, and Vanilla to name a few that are being whipped and stirred, cured and wrapped. A soap maker's life.

I'm super excited to extend my line of products and to be offering them at a real touch and feel store. If you've ever owned a business, you're well aware of how demanding it can be. My feelings in reflection have always been appreciative and thankful that I'm able to make a living by doing what I LOVE. Feeling Blessed.

Then not to mention, but I think I should, the amazing souls that I've had the pleasure of meeting over the past nineteen years.

I will say, the world is filled with dark corners, but my little corner is bright and white and beaming with joy.

Thank you.

One of my favorite things about Fall is it allows me the opportunity to create Fall Soap Boxes. The small soap box takes on a snazzy fall look. I recently introduced a series of phrase boxes. It's so funny, I also introduced them a few years back and their popularity was slim. Now a few years later, and they're hot. Over the years, I've learned that happens. Sometimes when you create, you're creation comes out before it's suppose to. Does that make sense? Sometimes when you create, your creation takes awhile to catch on. Typically when this happens, and it doesn't happen often, but typically when it does, small modifications are made to the item, product, to test deeper waters. It will either float or drown. Most of the time, it floats, but all depends on timing.

That popular phrase, "timing is everything" also pertains to hand made items. Who knew?

I'm in love with this picture! The snowberry bundles hanging out with the Lavender Dryer Sachets.

I'm also making Turbans!

I get on a kick with a new creation, and then build an assembly line, and then produce like there ain't no tomorrow.

Happy trails...

This weekend marks the annual Fall Festival. I'll be snapping Home Coming Queens and Shiny Cars during our downtown parade.

I love my little town!

Next month, Bittersweet has the honor of being in this magazine. I love it when a local publication requests information about my hand made company. Thank you Missouri Life Magazine and thank you Martin Schwartz for the interview opportunity.

I'm making Beer Soap this morning. I hopped by, no pun intended, our local brewery and gathered up a new dark Riley Porter Beer to formulate into the new Beer Soap. Attention is needed when adding beer to sodium hydroxide. If you're not careful, it will explode. Not good. Anytime you add anything to a batch of hand made soap, you're playing with fire. Well, maybe I've exaggerated some, but in all seriousness, don't throw caution to the wind when you're mixing additives to your soap concoctions.

The first day of Fall approaching and can you see this huge smile on my face? Now we just need summer to tell fall, I mean, Fall to tell Summer that he needs to move on! It's hot!

Happy Days.

Jill